"Fast car" is kind of a continuation of Bruce Springsteen's "Born to Run." It has all the clawing your way to a better life, but in this case the protagonist never makes it with her love; in fact she is dragged back down by him.
There is still an amazing amount of hope and will in the lyrics; and the lyrics themselve rank and easy five. If only music was stronger it would be one of those great radio songs that you hear once a week 20 years after it was released. The imagery is almost tear-jerking ("City lights lay out before us", "Speeds so fast felt like I was drunk"), and the idea of starting from nothing and just driving and working and denigrating yourself for a chance at being just above poverty, then losing in the end is just painful and inspiring at the same time.
I never ask myself why injustice befell me
Accepted of the fact,
Try and live a life of peace
I'm not a violent man,
But to those who'd threaten me
My enemy, for my family I'll show thee
Death I will fight you to
Wrath provoked you cannot bear
Our lives are not your toys
Mercy, not a drop to spare
You of destruction
Of hope's deconstruction
Kills
Innocence is lost when
The blood of innocents
Spills
I'm not a violent man, again I wish to repeat
But for every human that takes away
A child's innocence
Whether it by molest,
Or by all wars pointlessness
Killer of life
Corruptor of all that is pure
I want your nose to break
Shattered under clenched fist
Smash face to concrete
Taste the asphalt's gentle kiss
You of destruction
Of hope's deconstruction
Kills
Innocence is lost when
The blood of innocents
Spills
To those that are to blame
Destroyers of every dream
Breaking of hatred's wings
Mars' phoenix begins fading
To those that monger war
Claiming that this is to even scores
This mantra I invoke
No longer this fear will
I choke
There's no peace for the one who can't know peace
Your every breath it only lives to take
Someday the earth you will descend
Not a regret I'll harbor in
Tearless my eyes
Flowerless my hands
And that day when your moment is fleeting
That thought keeps my heart beating
When they lower your casket down
Bitter the sweet within my mouth
Ender of life
Corruptor of all that's pure
On your grave
I will stand
Accepted of the fact,
Try and live a life of peace
I'm not a violent man,
But to those who'd threaten me
My enemy, for my family I'll show thee
Death I will fight you to
Wrath provoked you cannot bear
Our lives are not your toys
Mercy, not a drop to spare
You of destruction
Of hope's deconstruction
Kills
Innocence is lost when
The blood of innocents
Spills
I'm not a violent man, again I wish to repeat
But for every human that takes away
A child's innocence
Whether it by molest,
Or by all wars pointlessness
Killer of life
Corruptor of all that is pure
I want your nose to break
Shattered under clenched fist
Smash face to concrete
Taste the asphalt's gentle kiss
You of destruction
Of hope's deconstruction
Kills
Innocence is lost when
The blood of innocents
Spills
To those that are to blame
Destroyers of every dream
Breaking of hatred's wings
Mars' phoenix begins fading
To those that monger war
Claiming that this is to even scores
This mantra I invoke
No longer this fear will
I choke
There's no peace for the one who can't know peace
Your every breath it only lives to take
Someday the earth you will descend
Not a regret I'll harbor in
Tearless my eyes
Flowerless my hands
And that day when your moment is fleeting
That thought keeps my heart beating
When they lower your casket down
Bitter the sweet within my mouth
Ender of life
Corruptor of all that's pure
On your grave
I will stand
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More Featured Meanings
Fast Car
Tracy Chapman
Tracy Chapman
Dreamwalker
Silent Planet
Silent Planet
I think much like another song “Anti-Matter” (that's also on the same album as this song), this one is also is inspired by a horrifying van crash the band experienced on Nov 3, 2022. This, much like the other track, sounds like it's an extension what they shared while huddled in the wreckage, as they helped frontman Garrett Russell stem the bleeding from his head wound while he was under the temporary effects of a concussion. The track speaks of where the mind goes at the most desperate & desolate of times, when it just about slips away to all but disconnect itself, and the aftermath.
Gentle Hour
Yo La Tengo
Yo La Tengo
This song was originally written by a guy called Peter Gutteridge. He was one of the founders of the "Dunedin Sound" a musical scene in the south of New Zealand in the early 80s. From there it was covered by "The Clean" one of the early bands of that scene (he had originally been a member of in it's early days, writing a couple of their best early songs). The Dunedin sound, and the Clean became popular on american college radio in the mid to late 80s. I guess Yo La Tengo heard that version.
Great version of a great song,
Just A Little Lovin'
Dusty Springfield
Dusty Springfield
I don't think it's necessarily about sex. It's about wanting to start the day with some love and affection. Maybe a warm cuddle. I'm not alone in interpreting it that way! For example:
"'Just a Little Lovin’ is a timeless country song originally recorded by Eddy Arnold in 1954. The song, written by Eddie Miller and Jimmy Campbell, explores the delicate nuances of love and showcases Arnold’s emotive vocals. It delves into the universal theme of love and how even the smallest gesture of affection can have a profound impact on our lives." https://oldtimemusic.com/the-meaning-behind-the-song-just-a-little-lovin-by-eddy-arnold/
Amazing
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran tells a story of unsuccessfully trying to feel “Amazing.” This track is about the being weighed down by emotional stress despite valiant attempts to find some positivity in the situation. This track was written by Ed Sheeran from the perspective of his friend. From the track, we see this person fall deeper into the negative thoughts and slide further down the path of mental torment with every lyric.
Man, I'm torn. I really like the music and the vocals, but I've read a lot of the lyrics to this album and they're, honestly, pretty shitty. I really like the emotional conviction of his voice and the intent of his words, but dude... really? "Ender of life?" Is "ender" even a legitimate word (in the way he uses it, that is)?